Fishing match nets more than £1,500 for seriously ill youngster

Five-year-old Benny Pitcher, who has a rare form of childhood brain cancer, with his parents Kevin and Julie and siblings Ruby, Rosie and Brannigan. Friends have rallied round to organise a series of fundraising events to support the family, including a fishing match which raised more than £1,500.
Picture: KAREN BETHELL

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A fishing match and barbecue organised by a group of friends has raised more than £1,500 for a seriously ill youngster.

Five-year-old Benny Pitcher (left), who has a rare form of childhood brain cancer, with his parents Kevin and Julie, his siblings Ruby, Rosie and Brannigan, and family friends Michael and Claire Gill, who raised more than £1,500 by hosting a fishing match and barbecue..
Picture: KAREN BETHELL

The event, which was held on Weybourne beach, was the idea of Sheringham couple Michael and Claire Gill, who wanted to support five-year-old Benny Pitcher, who has a rare form of brain cancer.

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An online fundraising appeal to send Benny on holiday with his parents Kevin and Julie and his three siblings, and to pay for equipment the youngster will need as his illness progresses, has already topped the £9,000-mark, with more events in the pipeline including a football match and fun day at Sheringham Football Club on July 21.

Thanking all those who supported the match and barbecue, Mrs Gill, who is planning another event for September, said: "We were absolutely delighted with the total, people have so much love and support to give for such an amazing little boy and we would happily do it all over again."